Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat

BREUER

Part I

Yoga on the Mat

Yoga on the mat is where the lifestyle

practice begins for hip tranquil chicks

searching for more in their lives.

By connecting inward through the

physical practice of yoga, you begin

to see the profound effects on your

life off the mat. Let’s jump in and

enjoy what unfolds.

Chapter 1

Personalized Practice

create a passionate yoga practice

Each pose is new every day, and each day every pose can teach something new. —JUDITH LASATER

Itook my first yoga class a decade ago while living in the mountains of Colorado, and was immediately smitten. The concentration on breath, the encouragement to listen to my body, and the powerful poses lured me into this ancient practice. Finally, I’d found something that not only strengthened my body but also nourished my soul and helped me tame that oh-so-busy mind.

Yoga translates as union, and that’s why there is such an emphasis on the balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The practice of yoga expands well beyond the physical postures, or asanas, that it is most associated with in the West. Originating in India about five thousand years ago, this practice has become increasingly popular in the Western world, and many modern girls are turning to it to stay sane.

When the Indian sage Patanjali wrote the fundamental teachings of yoga, the Yoga Sutras, more than two thousand years ago, he emphasized that the aim of yoga is to quiet the fluctuations of the mind and to create an internal stillness. The Yoga Sutras outline meditation, practice, and philosophy, helping practitioners connect to their inner voice and find a state of balance. In this way, yoga leads to tranquility—found through reining in our busy minds and opening up our tired bodies. In today’s chaotic world, who needs this more than the modern girl? We are trying to do it all, have it all, and savor a dose of spirituality at the same time.

Do I Have to Be Celibate, Flexible, or Forgo My Martinis?

Yoga is about balance, not abstinence. Anyone can start a yoga practice—young, old, male, female, Mormon, or Muslim. Through the practice of yoga you become more flexible and may cut down on your martini consumption, but it’s all about doing things consciously and in moderation. Your yoga practice is fun and is to be enjoyed fully, just like your fabulous life.

Why Yoga?

The benefits of starting a personalized yoga practice run the gamut from getting physically toned to feeling more spiritually centered, emotionally healthy, and mentally focused. All you need to start this life-changing practice is the desire to try something new or, if you are already practicing, to incorporate yoga into a luxe lifestyle that exudes a chic consciousness. A leopard-print yoga mat or the latest form-fitting, figure-flattering yoga ensemble is not necessary—though I personally find that looking and feeling my best while practicing yoga is always a plus. What you really need is the willingness to let yoga connect to your mind and body to help you add balance and tranquility to your already very full life. Just as yoga challenges you with new poses and provides variations on old ones through the integration of the lessons learned on the mat, you develop the confidence, flexibility, and strength to challenge yourself with new experiences off the mat.

When I started doing asana, the yoga postures, I had a very strong feeling of many unnecessary things dropping away. —PATRICIA SULLIVAN

Tranquil Tip: Getting your yoga groove on may take a few minutes. Your mind may still be swirling from your whirlwind day, you may be easily distracted, and you may find the initial poses challenging. However, give it time. Once your body opens up and your mind quiets down, the practice becomes transformative. Nothing, not even good dark chocolate, beats the euphoric sensations of final relaxation!

What Is My Yoga?

To truly create a personalized practice, it is important to determine what you’re seeking through yoga. Is it serenity in the city, a firm yoga bum, or enhanced spirituality? How about social time with girlfriends, improved strength, a meditation practice, increased flexibility, or all of the above? What you seek today may be very different from what you need in the future. Keep this in mind to allow for your continuous growth as a yogini. Just because you want to practice yoga now because all your girlfriends do it, or you want to whittle away at your waist, doesn’t mean that your relationship with yoga won’t change over time. Yoga fosters positive personal growth that extends well beyond the physical practice of poses. Sometimes you never know where it will take you.

Is Yoga a Religion?

Yoga is a spiritual practice, but it is not a religion. You find yoga practitioners from all denominations, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and beyond. Yoga complements the spiritual quest of any of the world’s organized faiths. The philosophical guidelines of yoga can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of your preferred religious beliefs or help you connect to an inner divinity.

A hip tranquil chick’s approach to yoga and life is nondogmatic. There are many paths to yoga and many ways to practice yoga, and there is no need to be chained indefinitely to any particular mode of practice. You can spend time experimenting with yoga styles, knowing that your needs evolve over time. Try different teachers within the styles, pay attention to how you feel in various yoga communities, and choose what’s best for you. This allows you to avoid dogmatic precepts that may make you feel caged, because, as we know, a woman needs the continued opportunity to change her mind.

Styles of Yoga in Modern Girl Terms

It is helpful to determine if you like routine or are seeking a surprise with each practice. One of the biggest differences between the styles of yoga is that some offer a set sequence every time, while others will vary with each class. Understanding your personality and preferences will help you determine where you fit in the yoga spectrum.

Anusara means to step into the current of divine will. Students hear phrases like puff your kidneys and open to grace, and receive a practice that is spiritually inspiring while grounded in biomechanics. The class focus weaves attitude, alignment, and action. Keen attention to detail, flowery language, and demonstrations during class make this a unique and powerful style. Texan founder John Friend exudes a passion for yoga and has a rapidly growing number of devotees. For more information, visit www.anusara.com.

I practice now not so much with ambition as with gratitude. —JUDITH LASATER

Ashtanga, is a set series in a warm room that is quite vigorous and cathartic. The fast-paced primary and secondary series are those most commonly found at Ashtanga studios, although there are actually six series. The practice is for the athletic yogini who loves knowing which pose comes next while floating in and out of standing and seated poses. K. Pattabhi Jois, who lives in Mysore, India, created this popular and intense style that appeals to a more Type-A crowd. For more information, visit www.ashtanga.com.

What Is Om?

Om is a mantra, or vibration, chanted in some yoga classes. It is described as the sound of the universe. Ancient yogis acknowledged the continuous movement of the universe—heard in the wind, inside a seashell, in nature, and in white noise. The chant of Om encourages the modern yogini to acknowledge a bigger connection to the world and all beings surrounding her.

Yoga Chick Quiz

If you’re a newbie, you can figure out where to begin with this quiz, and if you’re a seasoned yogini, you can expand your yogic horizons.

1. Is a set routine a must for your practice? Bikram or Ashtanga is for you.

2. Do you have to have great tunes to practice yoga? Usually vinyasa, but it varies: ask the studio or teacher.

3. Do you prefer having poses broken down, demonstrated, and moving slowly at first? Explore Anusara or Iyengar.

4. Is precision in poses very important to you? Anusara or Iyengar is a must.

5. Do you find that the more noise, bustling, and distraction around your practice, the better? Try a gym or health club over a studio.

6. Does a heated room help you unfold during practice? Bikram or Ashtanga like it hot.

7. Does receiving physical assists during yoga help your practice grow? Varies: ask the studio or teacher. Be sure to let them know if you have injuries.

8. Do you love a graceful, dancelike yoga practice? Ah ha, check out vinyasa or Ashtanga.

9. Do you enjoy seamlessness in your practice? Ashtanga or vinyasa it is!

10. Do you appreciate the teacher pushing you to go further in an authoritative way? Bikram is your bag.

It matters less what we do in practice than how we do it and why we do it. —DONNA FARHI

Bikram is a set series of 26 poses in 100-degree heat where the bikini-clad, microphone-wearing teachers encourage you to push harder, harder, harder. Similar to Ashtanga, it is great for students who appreciate knowing a sequence, love to sweat, and enjoy being challenged in an intense way. A connoisseur of Rolls-Royces, founder Bikram Choudhury lives in Los Angeles and was once coined the bad boy of yoga by Yoga Journal. For more information, visit www.bikramyoga.com.

Iyengar emphasizes precise muscular and skeletal alignment. This style will help you connect to subtle parts of your body that you didn’t know you had. Classes can feel like kindergarten when they have you running to the closet to get your strap, block, blanket, or bolster. Props are used heavily in this style and help you find the perfect pose—great for those who love detail, but challenging for those who lack patience and want lots of movement. Founder B. K. S. Iyengar lives in India and is renowned in the world of yoga. His certified teachers have been through rigorous training. This style makes for a great foundation for all yoginis. For more information, visit www.bksiyengar.com.

Vinyasa (often called flow) offers a ton of inspiration for the teacher and the student. It emerged from the roots of Krishnamacharya’s (considered the grandfather of modern yoga) lineage of Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Viniyoga styles, and focuses on the linking of flowing poses with breath. If you love to dance, you’ll love the graceful, challenging flow of vinyasa, with its continuous creativity. As a practitioner, I love how it translates beautifully off the mat to encourage mindful movement, breath connection, and an appreciation of life’s continual ebb and flow.

What Is Hatha?

You’ll often find hatha yoga offered at gyms. Hatha refers to the physical poses of yoga and is sometimes used generically to describe a yoga asana practice. It translates as ha (sun) and tha (moon)—the balance of opposites, namely, the masculine and feminine aspects that reside within us. During the practice of yoga and modern life, the hip tranquil chick seeks to balance effort and surrender. She acknowledges opposites within herself and is always looking for balance between them.

Namaste . . . Do What?

You will hear this word at the end of class and may even be greeted this way. Wonder what it means? It is a gesture acknowledging the divine spark within each of us that translates as I honor the divine within you from the divine within me. Place your hands in prayer position, feel the thumbs connect to your heart center, close your eyes, and bow your head. The modern yoga girl approaches others, who are all her teachers, with respect and honor—from her fave barista to a respected mentor.

There are many additional styles of yoga, and their number continues to grow. Experience the various styles to make an educated decision based on what works best for your body and mind. Notice that as you deepen your connection to your intuition, a vigorous practice may be appealing when you have a strong need to release pent-up energy after a challenge-filled day. In turn you’ll also recognize when you crave a chill yin or restorative yoga practice. Learn to blend various styles based on your many moods.

Your yoga is a way to showcase your personal style and preferences. It is important to honor this individuality each time you step onto the mat. You will never approach your practice with the same feelings or experiences twice. Every day on the mat, like every day in life, will be new. This personalized practice is carried into all areas of your life—at home, on the go, and in the office.

Every Day, Anywhere

Yoga is an integral part of the hip tranquil chick’s daily routine. By carving out a space for your practice or simply having your mat nearby, ready to be unrolled at a moment’s notice, you build a powerful connection with yourself and your world, every day, anywhere. We are always in motion—wandering through a museum, flirting on a date, browsing at the bookstore, sipping chai at a sidewalk café. By staying connected to our practice, we blend our busy modern lives with balance and tranquility.

The spiritual journey is the soul’s life commingling with ordinary life. —CHRISTINA BALDWIN

Try a little tranquility-on-the-go. While waiting in the line that never seems to move, instead of letting the delay get to you and succumbing to a hissie fit, shift your weight onto one leg and place the other foot on the opposite ankle to practice the tranquility-invoking tree pose. During that yawn-inducing staff meeting, excuse yourself for a moment. Hide out in the loo for a few minutes to do some twists, forward folds, and shoulder openers to return refreshed. With the principles of yoga internalized and practiced spontaneously, you’ll find a sense of peace within everyday life’s pandemonium.

Practice for Perfect Tranquility

How often should you practice? Ideally, every single day. However, when you first begin, at least a weekly practice is recommended to establish a routine. As your yoga experience grows, a daily practice is encouraged, even if only for a few minutes. Try to carve out a minimum of five minutes each day for at least a forward fold or down dog. Notice how your body begins to crave the practice and your muscles actually ache for it.

Yoga Class Prep